1
2
as in to disturb
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
there's no need to agitate the patient about little things
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shake
to make a series of small irregular or violent movements
set the washing machine so it will agitate for four minutes before going into the rinse cycle
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to discuss
to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion
a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agitate
In the late 1960s, during Nigeria’s civil war, he was held for two years as a political prisoner, having agitated against the conflict.
—
Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Violence, corruption and environmental degradation have saturated the avocado trade there, causing the U.S. to briefly stop imports and senators to agitate for action by the federal government.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
How to know when your dog is agitated Identifying an anxious or aggressive dog can be tricky, as negative and positive emotional indicators can often be confused.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Amid a significant increase in hate-group activity in and around Nashville, dogged WTVF reporter Phil Williams exposes their violence, anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant demonstrations, racist stunts, online agitating, and plans to seize political power.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Laura Collins-Hughes, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Violence, corruption and environmental degradation have saturated the avocado trade there, causing the U.S. to briefly stop imports and senators to agitate for action by the federal government.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
How to know when your dog is agitated Identifying an anxious or aggressive dog can be tricky, as negative and positive emotional indicators can often be confused.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Amid a significant increase in hate-group activity in and around Nashville, dogged WTVF reporter Phil Williams exposes their violence, anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant demonstrations, racist stunts, online agitating, and plans to seize political power.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agitate
Verb
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But for those paying closer attention, something else was stirring: the quiet but powerful debut of SirDavis American Whisky, her first foray into spirits in partnership with Moët Hennessy.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
30 June 2025
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TikTok users flooded the comment section with responses describing the scene as heartwarming and emotionally stirring.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The Heisenberg uncertainty principle teaches us that observation disturbs the observed.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Hammond, not wanting the dinosaurs disturbed, sends behavioral paleontologist Sarah Harding (Julianne Moore) to Isla Sorna, where the dinosaurs have been living without human interference.—
Will Harris,
EW.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The tragedy shook the small Ohio town — and stunned viewers who remembered the Stockdale family's 2008 appearance on ABC's Wife Swap.—
Christina Coulter,
People.com,
21 June 2025
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And beside them, Milford, Weymouth and St. John’s of Shrewsbury also shook off their sub-20 seeding to advance at least once in an all-time showing of parity.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
21 June 2025
Verb
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The courtroom was sealed as the parties discussed the matter, which had been considered resolved early in the week.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
22 June 2025
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The president initially appeared to favor a delay in any attack to give diplomatic efforts more time, nudging Iran to come to the table to discuss curtailing its nuclear program.—
Shelby Talcott,
semafor.com,
22 June 2025
Verb
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If Waldron wasn’t battered, then Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was hardly bothered.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 June 2025
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While notification bundles were an option before, they were primarily used for messaging, and not all developers bothered.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Teaching me how a microwave vibrates water molecules to heat my dinner is less helpful than telling me what buttons to press and which containers are microwave-safe.—
Judd Kessler,
New York Daily News,
17 June 2025
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The green earth below the stone seems to vibrate with Dorian’s physical presence.—
Jayson Greene,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
Verb
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What also was achieved overnight from late Saturday evening until Sunday afternoon was the end of the road for Thom Tillis, the North Carolina Republican who voted against debating the bill and brought on the wrath of Trump promising a GOP primary next year.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
30 June 2025
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The extent of the damage to Tehran’s nuclear program has been hotly debated ever since.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Shepherding that split to reality will leave WBD leadership distracted for a year, Martin estimated.—
David Bloom,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
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Cho, as the perceptive and generous Jin, distracted from his own family troubles by the sudden flashes of Casey’s bright light, is wise and rejuvenated; disinterested admiration makes this man, who looks to be in his forties, nearly a teen-ager again.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agitate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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